Sending Positive Vibes

Started the week with the Jaguar. I decided to brave the fuel level sender unit. First task was to disconnect the battery - oddly one of them was already quite loose. Anyway out it came after a bit of a tug. I cleaned up the gasket and hovered  the dust out too.

I had to guess the wires but got lucky first time. So reconnecting the power and switching on we got ...

Yippee - why was I worried I thought ? All in less than an hour too. So then a quick test drive later and obviously it was still working. Here we are with the Imp in the background warming up.

Then later the (dusty) Riley got a run out too.

So here is the reverse.

308 in the Sun

Ferrari really has taken over from the Aston in terms of jobs. Here it is in dapples shade this afternoon.

But where we were headed ? In fact the river was flooding so we had to do an embarrassing 3 point turn (about 9 I counted) and go the long way around to Ransoms. Not a real chore in a classic Ferrari.

I took the long way back as well - although that did show up the 99% on the tuning. I must book it in.

Stutter Stutter Little SAAB

SAAB out and about again today. First Colchester Zoo (via the Food Hall). Stutter on the way a couple of times which seemed to cure on hard acceleration and high revs for a bit. Home via the station for a drop off.

Then we packed it full of presents for Monty and back to Stutton we went.

Home again later (again via the station) and it seemed fine.

Coventry Calling

AM was housework and then the afternoon was free for jobs and cars. The Imp had been heated up in preparation though.

First collect a package from Harkstead. I decided to take the SAAB but started the Riley anyway for later. Oh bugger it I'll took the Imp in preference to the SAAB as the sun was still out. Harkstead and then back the longer way. Stopped for a photo by Harkstead Church under threatening skies.

Next was a quick MK7 job - the wing mirror 'glass' had fallen out. Just like the other side in Feb 2023.

Tape and glue will sort it though for tomorrow.

Then another excuse for a job - so what next ? I had thought about the Ferrari but decided to take the E-Type out to town to burn more petrol ahead of fitting a new float. Not really any petrol smell today.

Just caught the sun set too. 

Run back punctuated by being told of by a Police Car. Apparently I did not see him quickly enough as he sped over the Orwell Bridge and came up behind me - he was probably doing twice my speed though. Ho Hum.

In the evening the SAAB was back in play for Uber run to station for a pick up and then to Stutton for a birthday meal. On the station run we had all sorts of stutters (no engine light flashes though) but a short high rev burst seemed to clear it again.

Wheels Within Wheels

MK2 down to Parkers first thing for MOT.

Looked fine but failed on brake pipes being rusty. Ho Hum - could have been worse. So we'll have to wait until Monday to get it back.

Then SAAB to drop off Monty's BMW for his birthday Saturday. Then cleared some gravel and weeds from the carport for the new base.

Later a PM run to Nuffield - so more wheels in the boot.

Then home again for jobs but no energy to get anything out despite the fading sunshine.

Slogging it back

So more Train/Train there and Train/Train back to visit Olympia. Nicely painted trucks went through though.

Then a Slog back home through London. At least the MK7 is easy to drive in bad traffic.

Slogging it down there

Mk7 packed early for a London run. One day it will get a clean.

Then I checked on the Talbot and the front battery was charged (after about 1 1/2 days) so I swapped it to the back one. That immediately went green - but I left it on anyway.

Dull run to London (having dropped passenger off at the train station) and stuck in traffic for 15 mins on the M25.

Highlight was an old (1984) Nissan Bluebird on the street near Miranda's.

A bit battered but it should be ULEX exempt soon. Other than that it was train-bus-bus-tube-bus for us.

Did I clean the wrong one ?

Started the day clearing the carport ahead of the slab being put down next week. I guess I should salvage the gravel too.

Then having booked the MK2 in for the MOT this week - I thought it should get a good clean.

Mainly dust really but it came up fine. We did a short run to dry it off, but as I was putting it on charge I noticed the batter was loose - odd - so that got tightened up again. Probably a hang over of the work on the charge cable ?

The Ferrari had been on the fan heater so I took ... the E-type out and into town for a drop off - the road was closed again blocking the block.

We just squeezed in here. On the way back it did smell slightly of petrol again - I wonder if the fuel filler pipe had rotted with the bloody ethanol ?

However home again and as the fan had been switched to the Imp earlier that got a run out in the cold sunshine - as the road was open by then so we went to the allotment for a quick job. Ideal car for a drill etc.

After that I decided it was too late to get the Ferrari out as well - as was commuter time -  so that was that. Not too bad though for a single day.

And all it got was a little spray

Not a lot of car action to be honest today. None planned either but the forecast rain did not come that much so I could have squeezed some in..

However, I checked on the petrol smell in the E-type and it seems to have gone for now. 

I'd forgotten when I topped the tank up that I should be running it down to fit the new float. It should be OK though.

There was a quick run to the allotment in the MK7 to fix the leaking water. Then once back we played with the sticking release mechanism for the fuel filler. I took the whole unit out when it jammed closed but with a few nudges and PFT spray it released and I think it's a bit better.

Then an afternoon run in it to Harkstead. It still seemed to be working a few hours later but time will tell.

That Needs a Clean

MK7 down to London for family time etc. Gosh it's dirty.

Then short walk to the pub we were meeting in. Can you guess what it was called ?

Yep. The Talbot. I could not bring the car so I brought the keys.

On the way back we spotted a huge (and quite ugly) Rolls Royce. I assumed it was a Phantom from the plate. FAN700M.

It was and it turns out it's a wedding hire car (c2003). About £80k now - I'll stick to TAS.

Ferrari Finale - Not

So SAAB for an early afternoon run - the usual Harkstead/Holbrook and back.

Still looking clean and no stutters or flashes.

Then time to finish the day with the Ferrari. It's going to rain now for a few days - hopefully washing the rest of the salt away - but no runs planned. Here it is again looking splendid.

That was that I thought until I remembered I was supposed to take bags to the boat - so I decided to get the E-type out too.

All four fitted (just) so not a wasted run. Although I did think it still smelt of petrol so I checked when I got home but nothing under the bonnet looked wet. I did top it right up so I'll see if it still smells in the next few days.

So again - that was that ... but I had a nagging feeling I'd left the boat batteries on so ... SAAB again. This time packed with the big cushions.

This time we had a flash on the way down to the boat - but nothing on the way back. However that was really that as it was getting dark. It's only March after all.

And yes I had removed the battery keys after all.

It's not Right - But its OK

SAAB back in play to pick up the Alpine door this afternoon. Oh a few wobbles on the way there and a stutter, but no flashing lights. It cleared up after a bit of 'Italian Tuning' too - odd.

Lee warned the repair has an imperceptible blend on it which I could not see in day light - but I did spot it in the shed under the lights. I doubt anyone will notice though. Lee stressed to be very careful fitting it - which I will be.

On the way back I treated the SAAB to a wash - she came up well although the rust on the rear arches is showing badly now.

I think when the spring arrives for good I'll repair it. Then finally Petrol for the lawn mower - so the E-type out and about for utility run.

While I was filling up a chap could not get enough of it either. Mind you it did look great in the sunshine - if I say so myself. I felt very privileged to be driving it home.

Oh that Leak !

Thought I'd top up the Talbot water first thing - it took two pints. So quite a bit down. I also popped some in the expansion bottle as that looked empty too. Lifting the bonnet I also spotted some wetness where it had been before. I wondered if that had a hole ?

However it was coming down so I traced it back to the fitting for the large water pipe which seems to be held in place with a huge castellated nut. 

I was not sure I had a tool for that so I went off to think and do other jobs. Later returning to it and I tried a couple of thick spanners on their edge - one moved it ok but it was hard to stop it slipping out. I then thought I could get a nut in the slot and use that - so I made a tool.

A bit crude but it did the trick. I seem to have a lot of thread to take up though so did a couple of turns until it stopped weeping. I'm not sure how 'tight' it should be. I heated the car up and then took it for a test drive. The temperature stayed lower (85/90) this time and there was no drip on checking it again. 

To make sure I put two red dots on the fittings - so we'll see if they move. 

There is still lots of thread left there though.

In the afternoon I took the Imp out - she needed a pint of oil first though. Harkstead for jobs of course.

Then as it was so sunny I came back around the lanes and on the rest of the usual circuit but backwards. Interestingly I think the road that way round is less bumpy.

ION: It looks like Trump's bullying has stared the peace process in the Ukraine with a slight cease fire - we'll see.

In Hot Water

So a cold but sunny morning SAAB run to Harkstead and back for the Dr. 

The 'Check Engine' light came on for a little longer this time. Good ?

Later I took the Talbot out. Umm. There was water on the panel next to the engine - odd. I stopped to see if there was water in the radiator and  - WOOSH ! Fool - don't open the rad even when it is not that cold.

I stopped again to check but could not see anything leaking or dripping. I'll monitor it. It seemed to be noisier to - dull knocking - until I opened the window fully and it went away.

Overall the temperature seemed to be running hotter than usual (90) and did go up to 95 before going down again. I'm not sure the radiator grill bars are opening either. Here the temp was about 100 and they still did not look open to me.

Not sure how to fix that so I'll have to learn.

Under before 9:00 and Bentley Rescue

Up early and actually cleaning the E-type underside by 8:45. Brrrr.

It was bloody cold again - but as I had finished by 9:05 it was not too much of a struggle - it was surprisingly clean too although there is a bit of rust under there.

The Talbot had been warmed so after lunch we set off for the CVMC film show and meeting. I got a bit lost and turned round only for a Bentley to pull up and show me where to go. Turned out it was a real 1928 Bentley 4 Litre.

As I was leaving some one (he had a couple of Alvis) came to chat and say how nice the Talbot was.

Which is what I thought too.

Bugger !

So I started the day by washing the Ferrari - well more of a wet clean. Is this the before or the after pic ?

Hard to tell but it is the before - and here is the afterwards. I had done the underneath and even found a new panel at the front I'd not cleaned before - odd. 

But it just got put back into the garage as I had other tasks. Like starting the Talbot in prep for our run. Looks like it's been a full week since it got out. Odd again. 

Instead though I took the E-type out to take a picture of it by the mural with the mag. But it looked so dusty I detailed it first - which I was not going to do - but it came up nicely. Off to Ipswich we went only to find the road barred ! Bugger !

So this was the closest I got - I guess it is because the wheel in in use. Home again and it was Talbot time. Where ? Well I needed food so over the bridge and off to the shops.

I'm not quite in the space but it will do. Home again and I finished the day putting rubber matting on the garage pillar to protect the door handle.

All at 6's and 7's

All at 1960's and 1970's I mean.

Although I should have entitled this 'Cold and Unproductive Day' as I spent two hours on the Alpine failing to get the side of the soft top to fit. I'm also in two minds to buy a new top ...

I had got the Ferrari on the fan heater though and thought how nice the cars looked in the garage - very much chalk and cheese.

At lunch time someone sent me the new E-type mag cover. Mine !

#7 and counting. They always looks better in print.

However next was getting the Ferrari out. She started easily and sounded good too.

The drive was good - seemed to perk up with the better weather - well it's a little warmer. Then E-type out and down to the boat to find they had already put her back in the water.

Home and I treated it to a proper run around the block. 99% fine although she seems a bit hesitant still on acceleration. Oh and really I need to attend to the jobs.